Yesterday, Rwandans across the country celebrated Liberation Day. Some of them shared with The New Times’ Frank Kanyesigye what reflections the Day presents.

Shadrack Dusenginzemungu 30,
Student, School of Finance and Banking
"I am very pleased with what our country has achieved for the past 17 years; we are living in a secure country with a tremendous rate of development.

We were oppressed, tortured and killed during the past regimes but now we are exercising our freedoms in our country while building a new brighter future.

We are enjoying access to education, health, electricity so let us uphold Rwanda’s dignity and shape our destiny.”

Clarisse Iradakunda 19, - Airtime Vendor
"I am very proud to be Rwandan and I love the Rwanda of today. I am doing my business in a conducive environment, my siblings are going to school and on top of that there is enough peace and security in our country.

This day is very important to our lives because our parents were liberated from oppression by the past regimes.”

Beatrice Kadasingwa 48,-Businesswoman
"Liberation day is very inspiring to us because we celebrate the victory we achieved.

We are no longer refugees; our country has laid a strong foundation and there is no doubt that our children will live in a prosperous nation.

We take this opportunity to send a condolence message to those families and friends who lost their beloved ones during the struggle to liberate our country and the only way we will honour these heroes is to strive that the country does not go back to dark days, which will certainly not happen.”

Ends